A Tale of Two Christians

More damage is done to the cause of Christ by some people identified as Christians than is done by some actual enemies of Christ. Who is the Christian? Is it the business operator who is widely known to be a member and active leader of his church while paying his employees minimum wage when in control of $6 million in assets? Is it the computer technician working for wages who is not widely known as a Christian but freely shares his assets with a friend or neighbor in need?

They both are, but one of them has his “Churchianity” confused with being a Christian. I define Churchianity as that group of believers so focused on, and defined by, the particular doctrines of their sects or local churches that their behavior towards “others” is negatively biased. They are “religious,” but their treatment of others taints the reputation of Christianity as a whole. Their behavior towards those who are not a part of their own clique is distinctly different than their behavior towards members of their own mob. This is not the grace with which mature Christians interact with the world around them.

When discussing what grace is you will not get very far with Christians before you hear the acronym, “G.R.A.C.E.” God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Not all acronyms are as loaded with meaning and doctrinal truth as that one. That concept is the very core of Christianity. Christ on the cross, crucified. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Freely forgiven by the grace of God: not a license to sin, a license to serve. At Christ’s expense, we are free to confess our sins and be cleansed of unrighteousness. We are free to begin each new day cleansed of yesterday’s filth. No matter how often we fail, we are free each day to grow in the likeness of Christ; to practice more patience; to listen more carefully; to see more clearly; to discern with compassion the needs of those around us, whether that need is a shoulder to cry on, an ear to hear, a helping hand with a task… or cold, hard cash.

There is far more to grace than there is to be discussed here. But one more thing to consider is that grace is dealing with people from a position of strength. Spiritual strength. God given strength. Grace is dealing with people on the basis of who you are, not on who they are. Grace is when the CEO speaks to a custodian with the same respect and warmth as when he is speaking with a fellow executive and friend. Grace is when you treat someone who lives in the humblest mobile home with the same consideration as you treat the owner of the mansion on the hill. Grace is when you treat the stressed-out, untidy wreck with the same deference as you treat the charismatic professional in a three piece suit.

In short, if you are a “Churchian” you are as likely to treat an outsider as if he were a cigarette butt in your punch bowl as you are to reserve your limited supply of grace for your own clique. If you are a “Churchian,” you can be the chairman of the board of trustees for one of yours sect’s colleges and do less good for the cause of Christ than the humble neighbor who goes about his business gently and quietly while he looks to doing his best to nurture a Christ-like spirit and grow in the faith and knowledge of our Lord and Savior.